Numbering-machine.



PATENTED AUG. 21, 1906.

W. U. DOWNING. NUMBBRING MACHINE. APPLIUATION FILED NOV.27,1905.

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No. 829,260. PATENTED AUG. 21, 1906..

- W; o.- DOWNING.

NUMBERING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 27. 1905.

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, Fig. is a vertical longitudinal section UNITED srarns PATENT OFFICE.

NUMBERlNG-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 21, 1906.

Application filed November 27.1905. Serial No. 289,290.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM C. DOWNING, acitizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Numbering VIachines, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in numbering-machines, and more especially to hand-machines, and has for its object to provide a device of this character that is simple in construction, positive in operation, and capable of a varied adjustment in conforming to the different requirements in practical use.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation in perspective, showing the rear side of the device. Fig. 2 is a vertical central section. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on line 2, Fig. 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow. Fig. 3 is a front elevation. Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional details, showing the inking attachment. Fig. 6 is a bottom plan. Fig. 7 is a view in perspective of the inkingpad. Fig. 8 is a section on line 8, Fig. 10. Fig. 9 is an elevation of one of the numbering-disks, showing the axial shaft in sectign. o a part of the machine on line 10, Fig. 8. Fig. 11 is a section on line 11, Fig. 10, the pawls occupying a different relative position from that shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 12 shows the actuating-pawls in a still different-position. Fig. 13 is a detached view of the governing ratchetwheel pawl. Fig. 14 is a section on line 14, Fig. 11. Fig. 15 is an elevation of the unitsnumbering disk. Fig. 16 is a detail of a pawl for transmitting motion from one numberingdisk to the next. Fig. 17 is a detail of an adjustingdinger, and Fig. 18 is a detail of a lever-plate forming a part of the inking attachment.

A represents a casing, which is preferably composed of sheet metal. This casing is provided with a tubular extension B and incloses the working mechanism. A frame consisting of the companion end bars 18 and 19, con nected at their upper ends by a bridge-bar 20. The respective ends of the casing are provided on the inner sides with a shallow recess 21, in which the end bars 18 and 19 are loosely fitted in providing for a free upand-down sliding movement thereof. The respective ends of a stationary shaft 22 are loosely mounted on one end of the shaft 22,

the ratchet-wheels 24 and 25 and the unitswheel 26 being in turn mounted on said sleeve, as best shown in Fig. 10. This sleeve serves to lessen the friction and ease the ro tary movement of the parts carried thereon. The governing ratchet-wheel 24 is loosely mounted on the sleeve 23 and in this instance is provided with eight teeth. The notches between the teeth are not of a uniform depth. The notches 27 (shown in Fig. 8 and indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 11) are of a greater depth than the notches 28. The ratchet-wheel 24 may be provided with a greater number of teeth than eight in increasing the repeating feature. In the present instance provision is made to repeat any number two or four times by means of the adjusting mechanism hereinafter described.

A cam C is rigidly mounted on a pawl or pivot shaft 30 and has its respective ends j ournaled in the ends of the casing A at the front side of the machine, as best shown in Fig. 3. The outer end of a pawl 29 is loosely connected with the cam C, the free end extending around in position to engage the teeth in the governing ratchet-wheel 24. A spring-click 31 is positioned to engage the ratchet 24 and prevent a back movement of the same, as shown in Fig. 8. The outer or pivot end of pawl 29 is provided with an eccentric slot-aperture 32 and a curved-out recess in which the cam C is seated, the pawlshaft 30 running through the slot 32 in the pawl 29.

The movement ratchet-wheel 25 and the units-disk 26 are joined together in an integral structure. This ratchet-wheel is provided with ten teeth, the usual number, and is loosely mounted on the sleeve 23. A pawl 34 has its pivotal end mounted on pawl-shaft 30, the free end being adapted to engage the teeth 35 in ratchet-wheel 25.

A spring-click 36, Fig. 10, which is a duplicate of the companion spring-click 31,is positioned to engage the teeth in ratchet-wheel 25 and lock the same against a back movement. A spring 37 is coiled on the pawlshaft 30 and has one end thereof secured to a tension-pin 38, inserted through and .con-- necting the two pawls 29 and 34, as shown in Figs. 11, 12, and 14. The relative position of the two pawls 29 and 34 and the interposed cam C is best shown in Fig. 14. The purpose of this arrangement is to provide a means for changing the relative positions of the pawls, so that the pawl 34 may be set to have either a continuous or intermittent engagement with its ratchet-wheel 25 in ac cordance with the requirements of the work,

aswillbe described next.

One end of the pawl-shaft 30 extends through the casing and has one end of an indicator or-adjusting finger 39 rigidly fastened thereon, as shown in Figs. 1, 3, and 17. This indicator-finger is in two parts and pivoted together, as at 40, to provide for a free movement of the hinge end thereof. A pin 41, Fig. 17, is inserted in the free end of finger39, which is shown inserted in an aperture 42 in the casing. A spring 43 holds the free end of the finger 39 in its. engaged position and yields to. permit of the finger being disengaged and shifted to another position. The position of this finger in Fig. 1 corresponds to the detail shown in Fig. 17, the machine being set to number in consecutive order. This consecutive position and the osition of the pawls 29 and 34 correspond, oth pawls be ing in engagement with their respective ratchet-wheels. By shifting the indicatorfinger to the second hole 44 in the casing the machine will duplicate, the corresponding position of. the pawls being shown in Fig. 11, there being two shallow notches in the governing ratchet-wheel for the governing-pawl to engage before each successive deep notch is reached, the movement-pawl being held out of engagement until a deep notch is reached, when it engages its ratchet-wheel and imparts an impulse to the units-disk. By shifting the finger 39 to hole 45 the same number will be repeated four times, the movement-pawl belng held out of engagement during the time that the governing ratchet-wheel receives four impulses. By shifting the finger to the last hole 46 the same number may be repeated indefinitely. This position brings the pawls 29 and 34 into the relative position indicatedin Fig. 12, the pawl 34 being held out of engagement so long as the finger 39 remains in the repeating position. It will be understood that the pawl 29 remains in continuous engagement with the governing ratchet-wheel. It will also be understood that the relative osition of the deep and shallow notches in t e governing ratchet-wheel will be such as to accomplish the desired result in connection with the cam'O in providing for a periodical engagement of the movement-pawl 34, as will be'next set forth.

The pawls 29 and 34 are held in en agement with their respective ratchet-whee s by the 'spring 37, coiled on the pawl-shaft 30.

The cam C, recessed in the pivotal end of pawl 29, and the indicator-finger 39, being both rigidly mounted on the pawl-shaft 30, the shifting of the free end of the finger will turn the pawl-shaft and change the position of the cam C, which movement, through the medium of the pin 38, connecting the pawls 29 and 34 and the slot 32 in the pivotal end of pawl 29, will exert su'lficient leverage to retract the free end of pawl 34 from engagement with the movement ratchet-wheel against the retaining tension of the spring 37. To illustrate, in Fig. 1 the finger 39 is shown in its lowermost position, both of the pawls 29 and 34 being in engagement with their respective ratchet-wheels and the machine set to number in consecutive order. Shifting the finger 39 to the next higher position brings a higher part of the cam G into action and changes the centerof the pawl-shaft with reference to the eccentric slot 32 in pivotal end of pawl 29 and retracts the pawl 34 and holds the same out of engagement the required period of time, or until the pawl 29 drops into one of the deeper notches.

It will be understood, as before stated, that the number of teeth in the governing ratchetwheel may be increased and the relative osition of the deep and shallow notches etween the teeth varied in obtaining different results from that shown in the present machine.

The means employed for actuating the numbering-disks will be next described. As before stated, the movement ratchet-wheel 25 and the units-disk 26 comprise an integral structure. The units-disk, Figs. 10 and 15, is provided on the side adjacent to the tens disk 47 with a movement-pawl 48, as shown in. Figs. 15 and 16. This pawlv is provided with a pin end 49, which is loosely inserted in the body of the disk and adapts the same to have a pivotal movement therefrom. The tens-disk is provided with a recess 50, in which the pawl 48 lies flush with the surface, the thickened or raised part 51 on the free end standing out from the surface of the disk and which is adapted to engage the next adjacent numberin -disk at the proper time and impart a sing e impulse thereto by means of the mechanism next described. The different numbering-disks after the units-disk are hollow and-have a stationary washer 52 inserted therein, which is rigidly mounted on the axle-shaft 22. This washer has a. rim edge 53, Figs. 9 and 10, providing an annular space 54, into which the raised part 51 of the pawl 48 projects in its working position, as best shown in Fig. 10. A gap or break 55is made in the rim edge 53. A lug 56 is formed on the hub of the washer 52 and extends nearly out to the gap 55 and into the path of the pawl 48 as it swings from its pivot end. Once in each revolution of the units-disk the free thickened end 51 of the IIO pawl comes in contact with the lug 56 and is thereby pushed outward into engagement with one of the notches 57 formed in the inner circumferential surface of the tens-disk and imparts an impulse thereto. As the pawl 48 passes on out of contact with the lug ball 58 and a spring 59, recessed in the washer 52 and positioned to engage the notches 57 in continuous order and temporarily lock the disks against turning accidentally. The notches present a sloping side, so that the ball-lock will readily yield to the action of the pawl 48 and back into the recess in the washer against the pressure of the spring 59, which will. again force the ball out into the next notch when it comes around into position.

The hand actuating means will be described next, reference being made to Fig. 2. A short sleeve 60 is rigidly inserted in the lower part of a longer outside sleeve 61, which telescopes on the tubular extension formed on the casing A. The lower end of an actuating-stem 62 is secured in the crossbar or bridge 20. The upper part of this stem extends up on the inside of the sleeves 60 and 61 and ends in a head 63. A sprin 64 is coiled on the stem 62 below the hea end thereof. A second and more powerful spring 65 is inserted in a chamber 66 between the head end of the stem 62 and the closed upper end of the outside sleeve 61 and is provided interiorly with a vertical rib 67, which engages a corresponding groove 68 in one side of the head 63, as best shown in Fig. 2. The head or nut 63 is threaded on the upper end of the stem 62, so that the rib feature will facilitate the operation of assembling the parts and also removably retaining the parts and also retaining the hand-grasp against turning or working loose accidentally. By pressing on the hand-grasp the numbering mechanism is forced downward into position to make the desired impression, both the springs 64 and 65 being compressed and serving to automatically return the mechanism to its normal position when the pressure on the hand-grasp is relaxed. The spring 65 also acts as a cushion in preventing too forcible an impact, and thereby lessens the wear on the printing characters and the liability of blurring the work. The bottom plate 70 is provided at each end with short companion projections 71 and the respective sides with shoulders 72 with a cutout recess 73 between, as best shown in Fig. 6. The object of this bottom-plate feature is to provide a guide for the alinement or'positioning of the machine with reference to both horizontal and vertical lines on the paper in locating the impressions so the work will be uniform.

An inking-pad 74 is secured in a holder or frame comprising companion end plates 75 and the connecting-plate 76. This inkingpad, Figs. 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7, is located in the rear side of the machine and so positioned as to contact and ink the numbering-disks. The pad-holder is secured in the casing A by means of pivot-screws 77 The end plates 75 are curved out on the inner edges, as at 78, to correspond to and fit the round part 79 of the end bars 18 and 19, thelug 80 fitting into a recess 81, formed in the edges of the respective frame end bars 18 and 19 of the machine proper. The respective edges of the frame end bars 18 and 19, carrying the numberingdisks and the plates '75 of the ink-pad holder, forms a loose interlock for the automatic movement of the pad coincident with that of the frame end bars. On the down movement of the numbering mechanism the contacting edges of the frame ends 18 and 19 imparts an upward swinging movement to the ink-pad in the arc of a circle to the position shown in'Fig. 4. On the up movement of the mechanism thefriction of the contacting edges and the force of gravity returns the ad to its normal position. (Shown in Fig. 2.) The holes 82, Fig. 7, in the respective ends of the ink-pad holder receive the pivot screws 77.

A lever 83, Fig. 18, is provided with a catch 84 and is secured at its inner end to the under side of the ink-pad by a pivotscrew 85. The free end of this lever, Figs. 4, 5, and 6, projects out far enough to begrasped with the hand to shift the lever from one position to another in a horizontal plane. In Fig. 6 the lever 83 is shown in its normal unlocked position, the mechanism being free to move up and down in the operation of numbering. By moving the lever toward the end of the machine the catch 84 will engage the shoulder 87 in the lower end of the casing and prevent the ink-pad from moving away from its normalposition, and thus lock the machine against working. By means of the lever 83 the ink-pad may be raised up by hand to the position shown in Fig. 5 and held there by the nose ends 86 of the ink-pad holder resting on the round part 79 of the end bars 18 and 19, so that convenient access may be had when necessary to the machine parts from the rear side for examination.

ICC

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is y 1. In a numbering-machine, a governing ratchet-wheel having notches between the teeth of a variable depth, a movement ratchet-wheel having notches between the teeth of a uniform depth, an axial shaft on which ratchet-wheels are mounted, the companion pawls actuating said ratchet-wheels, a cam positioned between said pawls and adapted to change the relative position thereof in having a continuous or periodical action.

2. In a numbering-machine, a governing ratchet-wheel, an actuaiingpawl having a continuous engagement therewith, a movement ratchet-wheel and a units-wheel forming an integral structure, a pawl operatively engaging the units-wheel, means for chang ing the position of the latter pawl so as to provide for a continuous or periodical engagement thereof or hold the same entirely out of engagement, and a stationary support for said pawls.

3. In a numberingmachine, a governing ratchet-wheel, a movement ratchet-wheel, a stationary pawl-shaft, the companion pawls operatively mounted thereon, and a cam mounted on said shaft and capable of changing the relative position of said pawls with reference to their engagement with said ratchetwheels.

4. In a numbering-machine, a governing ratchet-wheel, an actuating-pawl positioned in engagement therewith, a combined ratchet-wheel and units-disk, a movementpawl engaging the latter-named ratchet, a pivotal shaft, and a cam rigidly mounted thereon and located between said pawls, whereby the relative position of said pawls is changed by turning said shaft.

5. In a numbering-machine, a governing ratchetwheel, a pawl in continuous engagement therewith, a movement ratchet-wheel and units-wheel combined, a pawl engaging said movement-ratchet, a pawl-shaft carrying said pawls, a cam rigidly mounted on said shaft and recessed in the pivotal end of the governing-pawl, an indicator-finger also rigidly mounted on said shaft, and a means for returning the movement-pawl to its engaged position.

6. In a numberingmaohine, a series of revoluble numbering-disks loosely mounted in their working position, a stationary washer provided with a rim edge having a gap therein and a lug extending out from the hub part thereof in line with said gap, and a movement-pawl positioned to be periodically contacted by said lug.

7. Ina numbering-machine, aseries of revoluble numbering disks removably mounted, a stationary washer recessed in said disks and provided with a raised rim edge having a gap therein, a stationary lug extending into said gap, and a movement-pawl positioned to periodically drop into contact with said lug and be moved thereby at the proper time into engagement with the next succeeding disk.

8. In a numbering-machine, a series of numbering-disks revolubly mounted on a stationary axis, an actuating movement-pawl connecting therewith in transmitting motion from one to'the other, a stationary washer recessed in said disks and provided with a raised rim having a gap therein and a stationary lug extending into said gap and periodically engaging and moving the free end of said pawl into an impluse engagement with the next adjoining disk.

9. In a numbering-machine, a series of numbering-disks revolubly mounted, a movement-pawl carried by said disks and free at one end, a stationary washer recessed in said disks and provided with a rim edge having a gap therein and a lug extending in line therewith and adapted to engage the free end of said pawl when it drops into said gap and throw the same into actuating engagement with the next adjoining disk, and means for disengaging said pawl.

10. In a numbering-machine, an actuatingstem, a head removably mounted on the upper end thereof, asleeve surrounding the upper end of the stem and extending up into said head, a spring inclosed by said sleeve and located above the upper end of said stem, a spring coiled on the stem part and means for separating said springs from each other.

11. In a numb ering-machine, an actuatingstem, a removable head mounted thereon and provided in one side with a groove, the sleeve inclosing the upper part of said stem and provided with a rib loosely engaging said groove, and means for returning these parts to their normal position when the abnormal or working pressure 011 the actuating-stem is relaxed.

12. In a numbering-machine, a bottom plate provided at its respective ends with companion projections and in its respective sides with cut-out recesses for positioning the machine for locating the impressions both as to horizontal and vertical lines.

13. In a numbering-machine, an inkingpad capable of. a swinging movement away from and toward the numbering-disks, and

means carried by said pad for locking the same in its lowermost position and holding the numbering mechanism against movement.

14. In a numbering-machine, an inkingpad, a holder therefor consisting of companion end plates curved out along their inner upper edges and provided with a lug 80, the frame end bars 18 and 19 provided with a re- IIO oess to be engaged by said lug when said to engage in locking the pad-holder When IO holder is closed, and means for pivotally reclosed and means for retaining said holder in taining said holder in its Working position. its open or raised position.

15. In a numbering-machine, an inking- In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature 5 pad, a movable holder therefor, a lever proin presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

vided on one edge With a catch and pivoted WILLIAM C. DOWNING. at its inner end to the under side of said Witnesses: holder, the casing provided With a shoulder L. B. COUPLAND,

with Which the catch on said lever is adapted G. E.- CHURCH. 

